John P. Rowley, Jr. passed away suddenly following an automobile accident on Monday, November 7 at the age of 93. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 13, 1929 to John Rowley, Sr. and Margaret (Kenney) Rowley, the second of six children. John was preceded in death in 2011 by his wife of 57 years, Lucretia Ann (Panzarella) Rowley.
John attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 toward the end of World War II, graduating from Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia and receiving an honorable discharge. Following his military service, John attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York on the GI bill. His career included serving as a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in New York City and concluded as the Special Agent in Charge of the agency’s Washington Field Office. He also was an officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve serving for 32 years and rising to the rank of Commander. Committed to a lifetime of work, following his retirement from the federal government, John joined the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement and later conducted background investigations for the U.S. government. He retired from his most recent job at the age of 81.
John’s strong Roman Catholic faith drove his life and included the countless hours he devoted to teaching children as a CCD teacher at both Nativity Catholic Church in Burke and St. Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church in Springfield. He also was a volunteer at John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria for more than 25 years and at White Oaks Elementary School in Burke. Throughout this time, he assisted hundreds of children with their reading and math skills. Together with his wife, Lucretia, he emphasized education and lifelong learning to his own children and grandchildren, sacrificing financially to ensure they had opportunities to excel and always encouraging them toward high achievement and independence.
Desiring few material possessions for himself, John was extremely generous as a regular donor to many Catholic charities and other organizations supporting people in need, both in the U.S and abroad. Among his greatest joys was surprising his children and grandchildren with the latest gadget or DVD, usually accompanied by a strong life lesson. He regularly showered his great-grandchildren with birthday gifts and holiday presents, and shipments of Hershey’s Kisses for no reason at all.
In addition to his parents and his wife, John is preceded in death by his sisters Virginia MacMahon and Patricia Kober, brothers-in-law Miles MacMahon and Richard Fitzpatrick, and his beloved brother and sister-in-law, Joseph J. and Josephine Panzarella, Jr.
John is survived by two sisters, Margaret (Peggy) Fitzpatrick and Sr. Mary Joseph, Little Sisters of the Poor, brother, James and his wife, Ann Marie, Rowley, and brother-in-law Harold Kober, as well as five children, John P. III (Lori), Raymond G. (Shirley), Joseph S., Mark A. (Wendy), and Stephanie A. Bonner (David), 15 grandchildren and six of their spouses whom he considered full grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews. John’s family is saddened by his sudden passing but comforted in knowing he had a full life well-lived and is at peace in the hands of the Lord.
Visitation for friends and family will take place at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd. Fairfax on Tuesday, November 15 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, November 16 from 2:00 – 4:00. p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 17 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Raymond of Peñafort in Springfield, Virginia, followed by interment at Fairfax Memorial Park. |